Report: Apple Supplier's Chinese Workers Describe Terrible Work Conditions 'Metal Particles Splash into Eyes'

A new report has revealed the harsh working conditions inside the factories of Catcher Technology — a manufacturer of many Apple products — where 90 workers were hospitalized last year after a chemical leak.

The Guardian reports that a new study has revealed the working conditions that Chinese workers have to endure at Catcher Technology factories, where large amounts of Apple components are made. After the hospitalization of  90 Catcher Technology workers following a chemical leak of sulfur and phosphorous at one of their factories in May of last year, the workers’ rights group China Labour Watch has released a report on the working conditions of factories manufacturing iPhone components and other Apple products in Suqian, Jiangsu province. The report claims that workers are forced to work long hours for little pay, often in dangerous conditions. Workers are paid the equivalent of $1.73 and overtime hours worked are reportedly double the amount allowed under Chinese law.

The Catcher Technology factories produce components for companies such as HP, IBM, Sony, and Dell, but were also one of the main manufacturers of iPhone 8 metal frames and keyboard cases for Apple MacBooks. Apple and Catcher have both disputed claims that workers are treated unfairly, claiming that the workers taken to hospital last May were only taken there as a precaution. However, Li Qiang, the CLW’s executive director, claims that the companies have still failed their workers.

“Apple has recently said they respect Chinese law but Apple has, in reality, been selective about which laws they follow, especially in regards to labour and environmental protection laws. Apple need to uphold their claim of honouring Chinese law,” he said adding, “Catcher has been risking the health and safety of its workers as well as the local environment.” The report from CLW contains payslips showing workers working overtime of over 70 hours a month, almost double the amount allowed under Chinese law of 36 hours a month. Workers were meant to be paid a wage of 1,950 yuan — approximately $303 — a month for working 8 hour days five days a week, but in reality, workers were forced to work 10 hours a day for six days a week with the extra day not being counted as overtime. This resulted in workers allegedly losing out on approximately $77 a month.

CLW sent an undercover investigator into one of these factories to report what the average workday was like. “We work without stopping, disassembling rigs, removing screws, assembling metal frames, and screwing in screws to fasten the rig. There is essentially no time to rest,” wrote the undercover investigator. The investigator stated that workers were forced to stand on their feet for hours at a time without a break during night shifts. “We would work from 1.20am to 5.50am, a total of four hours of work that is done standing up. There is practically no rest time. Our legs would fall asleep and our feet would hurt. The line leader would from time to time urge us, and shout: ‘Attach the screws faster.’”

The investigator stated, “When it was 3.30am, my entire body felt like my spirit had left me. My head, legs, and feet were devoid of sensation and only my hands kept moving, mechanically disassembling rigs, assembling metal frames, fastening rigs.” The report covered three Catcher-owned factories in Suqian and claimed that the investigator suffered health issues as a result of working at these factories. The report stated, “During the manufacturing process, chemical cutting fluids and metal particles would often splash into his eyes. Despite this, Catcher does not provide workers with safety goggles. While working at Catcher, the investigator developed symptoms of reduced vision, eye pain and irritation along with a persistent sensation of foreign substances in his eyes. One month after leaving the factory, the investigator’s eyes remained bloodshot.”

In a statement following the report, an Apple spokesperson said: “We’ve been working with the team at Catcher in Suqian, China, since 2012 and they’ve made significant progress raising standards during that time. Dozens of Apple employees are permanently on site, monitoring operations, and we’ve conducted 10 in-depth audits over the past five years, including three last year – and the last audit scored 96 out of 100.”

“When we heard these latest claims we immediately sent a team of experts to the facilities. They thoroughly investigated and interviewed over 150 workers but found no evidence that Catcher was violating our standards. Our checks also confirmed wastewater is treated appropriately and protective equipment is provided to employees who need it, with detailed records maintained. We know our work is never done, and we investigate each and every allegation that’s made. We remain dedicated to doing all we can to protect the workers in our supply chain and make a positive impact on the environment.”

HP also commented on the report stating that the company “takes the working conditions in the factories that manufacture its products very seriously and has high standards in place with our suppliers. HP vigorously investigates all incidents and credible allegations.”